JINJA, Uganda — As the 2025 National Rally Championship (NRC) moves to its fourth round, KCB Bank Uganda’s three-man team — Ntambi Oscar, Mike Mukula Jr. and Nasser Mutebi — is set to compete in the Bugerere Stabex EMC Rally, which begins Thursday. The rally will traverse the sugarcane belt of Jinja and Kayunga districts.
Scheduled from July 10 to July 12, the Bugerere Stabex EMC Rally promises a challenging course with 10 special stages covering 154 competitive kilometers. The route will feature tight forest tracks, fast straight sections and a highly anticipated night stage, the first in the NRC since 2016, designed to test drivers’ navigation, endurance and adaptability.
Ntambi Oscar, a two-time 2WD winner at the 2022 and 2023 Pearl of Africa Rally, returns with a Subaru Impreza N10, co-driven by Pius Lugya. Ntambi, from the Forest Rally Team, expressed confidence. “We’ve done ample preparations,” he said. “We stand a fighting chance at a decent finish and we will give it our best shot.”
Mike Mukula Jr. of the Mukula Rally Team, also representing KCB Bank, aims for redemption after an engine failure ended his previous rally prematurely. Driving a Subaru Impreza alongside co-driver Edward Kiyingi, Mukula is focused on a strong comeback. “This rally is long and tough, but that’s what makes it exciting,” he said. “We’ve reinforced the car and adjusted the setup. Now it’s about staying focused and finishing strong.”
Veteran driver Nasser Mutebi of the Nash Rally Team, a former NRC champion known for his tactical approach, will compete in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Mutebi emphasized his strategic approach. “It’s a big moment for us, and I’m grateful to KCB Bank for the support,” he said. “We are ready to serve the best.”
The Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda is organizing this year’s rally with support from various partners, including KCB Bank Uganda. The bank previously invested 80 million Ugandan shillings in the Pearl Rally and extended tailored support to Ntambi, Mukula Jr. and Mutebi, aligning with its commitment to developing motorsport talent in Uganda.
Sheila Awori, acting head of Marketing and Communications at KCB Bank Uganda, spoke about the bank’s involvement. “We are proud to be at the forefront of supporting motorsport in Uganda. Our sponsorship of these talented drivers amplifies homegrown skill and aids connection with communities in powerful ways. Through initiatives like this rally, we’re championing both performance and purpose.”
Beyond the competition, the Bugerere Stabex EMC Rally will incorporate community initiatives, including planned blood donation drives, tree planting activities and the construction of new classrooms at Great Harvest Primary School in Kayunga, aiming to leave a lasting legacy.
